The #3 Jacksonville Jaguars welcome the #6 Buffalo Bills to EverBank Stadium on Sunday for their wildcard round playoff matchup. With the Jags in good form, here are three key battles to keep an eye on:
Antonio Johnson vs Tyrell Shavers
What a first year for defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile.
The Jags’ defense has been one of the standout units in the NFL in 2025, particularly against the pass. 22 interceptions on the year ranks second in the league, just one takeaway behind the Chicago Bears. Key to that prowess has been the development of the Jaguars’ secondary and a significant step up in pass coverage from the linebackers, with Devin Lloyd particularly impressing having five picks of his own.
Versatile safety Anotnio Johnson joined Lloyd with five interceptions against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, picking off Brandon Allen in the second quarter and taking it back 42 yards for a score. Johnson has had an impressive campaign deputising at various spots in the defense’s back end as the Jags have battled various injuries. All three starting corners (Montaric Brown, Greg Newsome, Jarrian Jones) were limited or missed practice on Wednesday – and whilst all are expected to play this weekend, Johnson will likely have a heavy role.
Johnson thrives as a rangy free safety, able to play sideline to sideline and attack the ball downfield. Potentially Johnson’s biggest concern on Sunday will be in the form of Tyrell Shavers, who has impressed in Buffalo and currently sits ahead of both Keon Coleman and Brandin Cooks as Josh Allen’s deep threat. Shavers leads the Bills with an average of 16.3 yards per reception (minimum 20 catches) – not bad for an undrafted rookie who has worked his way up from the practice squad. We’ve seen how aggressive and vertical Buffalo can get in recent playoff games; removing the splash play would be of huge benefit to the Jags.
Walker Little vs Greg Rousseau
There have been plenty of nice surprises in terms of personnel for the Jaguars in 2025, giving confidence that there is finally a front office in place that is coordinated and has a clear identity. One of those has been the ascendancy of Cole Van Lanen, who was here before Gladstone and co. came in but has developed into a high level left tackle for Jacksonville this season. Van Lanen was rewarded with a 3-year, $51m contract extension last month, a vote of confidence from the coaching staff that they have their blind side protector of the future in the building.
Van Lanen played hurt against the Titans, fighting through a knee injury that is apparently proving difficult to shake off. He was a non-participant in training on Wednesday, leading to concerns for his availability on Sunday.
Should he not be able to go, it’s likely the Jags turn to Walker Little to deputise. Versatile and a good depth option, Little has never quite been able to lock down a starting job, and it’s clear Liam Coen and his offensive staff think they generally have better options to start. Should he get the nod, Little will have a big task ahead of him, protecting Trevor Lawrence from a pass-rushing duo that have decent numbers but seem to find key moments to get to the quarterback.
Greg Rousseau has turned into one of the better pass rushers in the league, and leads the Bills with seven sacks. But should he move around the formation, Little will likely encounter his running mate Joey Bosa, who is also no slouch. Keeping Lawrence upright is critical in this game, and Little will need to be at his best if called upon.
Trevor Lawence vs Josh Allen
We can talk about receivers and safeties, offensive lines and pass rushes until we’re blue in the face. But Sunday’s matchup could very easily just boil down to which of the two quarterbacks has the better day.
If this turns into a shootout, then the casual fan will be in for a treat. Josh Allen has for some time been one of the most exciting and dangerous quarterbacks in the NFL, helping the Bills to become playoff relevant almost every year during the Sean McDermott era. Yet to hoist a Lombardi trophy, it feels like a matter of when, not if, he leads Buffalo to a Super Bowl title.
Meanwhile, Trevor Lawrence has exploded down the stretch of the 2025 season, with things finally clicking in Liam Coen’s offense. There have been doubters in Jacksonville that Lawrence may never quite live up to the hype he came with when drafted number one overall back in 2021. A look at his numbers, as well as the huge contract extension he signed in April 2024, might make that seem laughable. But a lack of consistency, and maybe unfairly wins, meant there was a definite gap in people’s minds between Lawrence and his opposite number Allen this weekend.
That gap has now evaporated. Lawrence is playing as well as any quarterback in the playoffs, and there’s some quirky similarities with Allen in the way he’s been pushing the ball downfield and using his legs to move the chains. You couldn’t have always said this, but I’m not sure there’s another signal caller out there that the Jaguars fans would want leading their team in the postseason. If Lawrence can eclipse Allen on Sunday, then Jacksonville can start making plans for the divisional round.
